ELLERBE — Two schools released early Tuesday and several businesses closed for the day following a water main break.
Jerry Austin, solid waste and water maintenance director for Richmond County, said the leak was discovered mid-afternoon on Monday.
“We had a 12-inch line blow out on a service road off of Sandy Ridge Church Road,” he said in an email to the Daily Journal on Tuesday. “It appears a fitting came apart where two water lines come together at a ‘T.’”
During Tuesday’s county commissioners’ meeting, County Manager Rick Sago said another main broke Tuesday morning.
Ashley-Michelle Thublin, public information officer for Richmond County Schools, announced that students at Mineral Springs Elementary and Ellerbe Middle were released at 10 a.m.
Ellerbe Mayor and Berry Patch owner Lee Berry said his produce stand had to close, as well as all the restaurants in town, the new fish market, the barber shop and Community One Bank.
“This small town sure was affected,” he said. “We’ve been hauling water out of our swimming pool to flush the toilet.”
His wife, Amy Berry, posted a message on Facebook, saying others who were affected could “come by our house and get some (water) out of our pool.” At least five individuals and one local business took them up on the offer.
“That’s what it’s all about — everybody coming together when they need to,” Lee Berry said.
Austin said water service was down for about 24 hours and affected hundreds of customers in the Ellerbe area.
Just before 4 p.m., Austin said the Ellerbe tank was being refilled.
“A water sample will be taken and acceptable results confirmed prior to placing the tank back online,” he added. “Water service shall continue through operation of our Hwy. 220 pump station.”
Austin said that residents may see a slight discoloration in the water or may have air in the lines.
“We ask that they allow water to run, preferably from an outdoor faucet, to help clear the line of any air or discolored water,” he said. “Richmond County maintenance crews have worked diligently around the clock since notification yesterday and are still on-site to assure the affected citizens of Richmond County receive the service that they expect.”
He added that the overnight and morning rain, which was heavy at times, didn’t make the task any more difficult, but was “just a nuisance.”
Richmond County Water Maintenance personnel work on filling the Ellerbe water tank following two water main breaks in less than 24 hours.